A friendly little town up on the plateau, A hustle and bustle remedy, They’re quick with a handshake and a hello, Welcome to Cookeville, in the heart of Tennessee. Written about Historic Downtown Cookeville, Tennessee.

Spend the Day in the Small Town of Cookeville, TN

Come and discover upscale fashion, delicious culinary creations, music and hidden murals throughout Cookeville, located just an hour away from Nashville.

Travel Inspiration From Tennessee Local Greta Hollar

Cookeville, Tennessee is a small town getaway tucked within the Upper Cumberland region of the state with upscale fashion, delicious culinary creations, music and hidden murals throughout.  It’s about an hour from Nashville and the drive to Cookeville is a pretty one. Here's how to spend the perfect weekend trip from Nashville that includes Cookeville and nearby towns Monterey and Crossville if you have time.

Where to Eat in Cookeville

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Poet's Coffee

Fresh muffins, hot coffee, sweet cookies and tea, Meetings with friends, co-workers or family, A hometown shop that’s filled with Poetry Small local shops are all around Tennessee. Written about Poet’s Coffee in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Poet’s Coffee in Cookeville, Tennessee
Photo Credit: @poetscoffee

Start your trip with coffee and breakfast at Poet's Coffee, located in the Historic Putnam County Courthouse Square. Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and pull up a chair in front of the large windows to watch the world pass by.  Get your caffeine fix with an Americano, Cuban or Espresso. If you love tea, Poet's has a variety of selections from green tea tropical to white orchard and the classic Earl Grey. The Avo Bagel with avocado, cream cheese, everything seasoning, arugula and tomato makes for a great breakfast as does the Morning Magic Cheese bagel topped with sausage, provolone, spicy mustard and herb cream cheese. You can always opt for a classic meal with sausage, egg, cheese and herb cream cheese on a bagel.

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Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House

French vanilla in a waffle cone, creamy as can be, Served through a walkup window, handmade locally, 1 scoop 2 scoop 3 scoop 4, Everyone always comes back for more. Written about Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House in Cookeville Tennessee.
The counter at Cream City Ice Cream in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

If you need something sweet while hunting for the cool murals around downtown Cookeville or strolling the square and its shops, go to Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House for a scoop or two of creamy ice cream. You'll want to try every flavor from peanut butter cup, Tennessee fudge, black cherry, caramel cone, cookies and cream, butter pecan and cake batter. Cream City also can make you a milkshake, smoothie, banana split, Affogato or sundae.

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Savor Cookeville

Crispy chicken’s deep fried crunch, Steaming on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, Fresh al dente green beans steam, Tempting your taste buds by way of your nose. Written about Seven Sense Food and Cheer in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Settle in for comfort food.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

Savor Cookeville serves Southern and American-style dishes with fresh, local ingredients. Stop in for lunch or dinner for starters like fried pickles, poached shrimp cocktail or the boneless chicken wings. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers and wraps  as well as entrees like chicken mac - grilled chicken over elbow macaroni in white cheddar sauce with bacon, tomatoes and scallions on top. The shrimp & scallops will have you wanting more and the Tennessee meatloaf is a favorite with two loaves of meatloaf, Parmesan mashed potatoes and green beans.

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Crawdaddy's

Sausage and shrimp swimming in creole, A taste of the bayou on the end of your spoon, Fried catfish and hushpuppies as crispy as cornflakes, A meal spent at Crawdaddy’s is always over too soon. Written about Crawdaddy’s in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Crawdaddy’s in Cookeville, Tennessee
Photo Credit: @amybnew

Step into Crawdaddy's for New Orleans-inspired cuisine like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo and po boys stuffed with fried shrimp, crawfish or oysters. The bar serves up craft cocktails, local beers and an extensive wine and liquor list. Check out one of their weekly special events like Sunday Brunch with Jazz to performances by local bands.

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Father Tom's Pub

Everybody’s going down to Father Tom’s Pub, For a cold Moscow mule from wet copper cup, Or maybe an IPA to the rim with it’s suds, Everything’s better at Father Tom’s Pub. Written about Father Tom’s Pub in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Father Tom’s Pub in Cookeville, Tennessee
Photo Credit: @joy_of_fall

Soak up the classic pub atmosphere at Father Tom's Pub while enjoying wine, spirits, local brews and incredible food. Savor large sandwiches, fish 'n' chips, the signature quesadilla or The Bernie Mac - house-made white cheddar mac and cheese topped with hot chicken. The pub is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Things to Do in Cookeville

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The Market on the Square

The Market on the Square is everything apples, Apple butter, candy apples, apple jellies and jams, Apple scented candles and old apple baskets, Right to the Market from Ol’ Johnny Appleseed’s hands. Written about The Market on the Square in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Shopping at Market on the Square in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

Poke around The Market on the Square, a multi-level shopper's paradise. The street level is full of different types of foods, condiments and have-to-have kitchen decor. Venture downstairs for the cute home decor and even a whole room dedicated to Christmas decor. Here's where you can get all your holiday shopping done at on stop.

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Cookeville Depot Museum

Rusty steel wheels grind on the tracks, Smell the coal burning and a train whistle whine, Climb up in the old caboose and imagine you’re riding, Across the plateau and back into time. Written about the Cookeville Depot Museum in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Explore the history of train travel in Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

The Cookeville Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to many artifacts from the Tennessee Central Railway. Originally built in 1909, the Depot hosts a 1912 Baldwin steam engine, a 1920's classic red caboose, a 1960's caboose and two track cars which were used to move track workers to repair or work on the railroad tracks. Have fun learning about Tennessee railroad history and marveling at the HO scale replica of what Cookeville looked like in 1955.

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Outdoor Experience

Hear the call of the wild, The voice of the river, All kinds of Tennessee, Outdoor adventures, Hiking and kayaking, Swimming and climbing, All that you need, For some outdoor good timing. Written about Outdoor Experience in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Shopping at Outdoor Experience in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

If you are planning to embark on some outdoor adventure while in the Upper Cumberland region, Outdoor Experience is where you should go. This is your go-to place for all your outdoor equipment and gear. Kayaks, canoes, hiking boots and more are available for your next climbing, fishing or hiking excursion.

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Dogwood Park

The steady splash of a fountain as the water falls down, Right in the heart of a bustling town, Picnic a basket, blanket the ground, The warm sun shines on those Cookeville sounds. Written about Dogwood Park in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Dogwood Park in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

Get some fresh air at Dogwood Park with walking trails, a rose garden and plenty of places to set up a picnic. If you're traveling with kids, they’ll love the imaginative playground and water feature during the summer. You'll also spot some great murals around this area and the whole of downtown. Allot an hour to go mural hunting for plenty of photo opportunities.

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Tennessee Legend Distillery

The hot kettle fire, smell of sour mash, A legend gracing an iced glass, Tennessee born Every batch from scratch, Sniff it, sip it, down the hatch. Written about Tennessee Legend Distillery in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Liqueurs at Tennessee Legends Distillery in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Melissa Corbin

Sip some Tennessee spirits at Tennessee Legend Distillery in downtown Cookeville. Free tastings are offered every day and you can try in-house drinks made with Tennessee Legend spirits. Hang out at this location that has a chill atmosphere and bartenders who can steer you toward a great spirit while talking about Tennessee's famous state parks and other fun things to do around the area.

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Red Silo Brewing Companu

Porters and Stouts, Lagers and Blondes, IPA’s, Belgians whatever you want, The hops and barley uniquely combined, Tip a Red Silo Brew from a tall cold beer stein. Written about Red Silo Brewing Company in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Get a local taste from Red Silo Brewing Company.

Pull up a seat at Red Silo Brewing Company to try their small batch beers. A variety of beers are brewed including brown ales, pilsners, stouts, sours and even a lemon hard seltzer and their own root beer. Watch the world go by on the outdoor patio and enjoy live music from the silo stage. 

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Shopping in Downtown Cookeville

Tall trees line the streets, people stroll by, Welcome in’s call out from open store doors, Find cool shade in the awnings and blue in the sky, Cookeville Tennessee is what you’ve been looking for. Written about Historic Downtown Cookeville, Tennessee.
Downtown Cookeville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

Continue your shopping spree by popping into the cute boutiques in the downtown area. Start at PLENTY Downtown Bookshop to browse the stacks for your favorite and new-to-you authors. Revamp your home with gifts and florals from Glass Tangerine, where you're sure to be welcomed by shop dog, Elsa. You can then visit Cigi's. This boutique has such a great selection and a wide range of sizes. They also have the cutest accessories and decor. After Cigi’s, head to the WestSide Cultural District where you'll find shops like Broadway Boutique Mall and Luxe Boutique. 

Add These Upper Cumberland Stops

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Bee Rock - Monterey

Bee Rock in Monterey
Bee Rock in Monterey, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar

Take a short drive to Monterey (about a 23-minute drive from Cookeville) to hike Bee Rock. It's a short hike up, but has incredible views of the mountains and valleys of the region. Take a few photos or just soak up the quiet and enjoy the sounds of nature.

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Monterey Depot Museum

Ride the steel rails over the tracks, While the train whistles and the engine cracks, Exhibits of local history and coal mining inside, Monterey Depot Museum, just imagine the ride. Written about the Monterey Depot Museum in Monterey, Tennessee.
A conductor and train at Monterey Depot Museum in Monterey, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Robert Melgar

Learn the origins of this charming small town at the Monterey Depot Museum. The replica depot and visitors' center has artifacts, photos and stories on early settlers as well as Native American history. Locals share the unique things to do in the area and can point you in the right direction on how to make the most of your time in Monterey.

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The Lovely Brew Coffee Shop & Boutique - Monterey

Get your coffee and a new dress in the same place at The Lovely Brew Coffee Shop & Boutique. You'll find casual, fashion-forward pieces from dresses to tops to jewelry. Grab a coffee, breakfast, lunch and homemade ice cream. Signature coffee flavors include raspberry white chocolate, chocolate, maple and caramel mix, chocolate and marshmallow for a s'mores twist and chocolate orange. Get a drip coffee, espresso, Boba tea, smoothie or a lotus energy drink (plant-based caffeine). Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, power bowls with chicken, quinoa, guacamole, salsa black beans, corn and queso, shredded chicken salad and turkey sandwiches on sourdough are great grab-and-go options.

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The French Market - Monterey

Worn brick and a hard concrete floor, Echo the sound in this quaint small town store, Bird cages, candles, bath bombs and more, Entice you as soon as you walk in the door. Written about The French Market in Monterey, Tennessee.
The French Market in Monterey, Tennessee
Photo Credit: The French Market

The new boutique in downtown Monterey, The French Market is full of luxury home decor, kitchen and bathroom items, designer items and more. You'll love their curated pieces, including must-have cooking ingredients, all the things you need to make your home feel like Paris or the French countryside.

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Muddy Pond Amish Community - Muddy Pond

A braying Mule does daily chores, Walking his circle turning the press, Squeezing sweet juice from the sugar cane, The old ways are always the best. Written about Muddy Pond Amish Community in Muddy Pond, Tennessee.
Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill in Monterey, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Dawn Majors

Travel the winding, country roads from Monterey to Muddy Pond where you'll find some of the best sorghum and fried pies around. The area is home to several Amish-Mennonite communities and local farms. You'll love the shopping and gorgeous natural sights of the area. Do some shopping at the Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill and Variety Store, Muddy Pond General Store, The Leather Shop, have a meal at The Country Porch and more.

 

It's clear Cookeville and nearby towns are some of the best small towns to visit in the U.S.A. Full of shopping, fun murals and memorable food, the area is also close to outdoor activities and family-friendly attractions. Check out more small towns that make great day trips from Nashville.

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